Air conditioning and cooling

Air conditioning, air con or A/C as some refer to it has similar cost implications to heating systems if they are not maintained and controlled efficiently. Air conditioning can consume large amount of energy. In fact, air conditioning can increase a building's energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by up to 100%.

Maintenance of your air con unit

Change your air filter regularly.

A clean filter in your air conditioning unit prevents dust and dirt building up within the system. The air filter is easily changed and if not attended to could, which lead to expensive repairs and/or malfunction of the system. It is recommended that you check your filter every month, especially during high usage periods. If when you check your filter, it's dirty - change it.

Regularly service A/C equipment

Regular maintenance and servicing of your A/C unit by a qualified and experienced technician can help prevent future problems and repairs. It is advised that the air conditioning servicing is carried out every 12 - 18 months.

Control the air conditioning unit temperature

Air conditioning thermostat

As with heating controls each 1°C makes a difference. With air conditioning systems; increasing the temperature of the thermostat so the unit doesn't operate below 24°C will reduce energy consumption and the running costs.

So ensure that that you do not have your heating and air con systems 'fighting' with each other as it waste energy and money. To make sure your heating and A/C do not compete against one another, create a temperature gap (also known as a 'dead band') between the temperature your heating and air conditioning control are set.

Variable speed drives (VSDs)

Variable speed drives will control the overall output of your A/C system so your requirements are satisfied. VSDs help ensure you do not create more cooling than you actually need. Over use of the air air conditioning gives rise to wasted money, energy consumption and increased carbon emissions.

Free cooling coils

Free cooling coils utilise cool air from outside to aid the air conditioning system's' cooling process, though are dependant on the air being cool enough. This saves money because you won't need to use as much energy to produce cooling for the air conditioning system.The UK's climate is especially suitable for free cooling coils to be effective and can therefore produce savings in regard to money, energy consumption and carbon emissions.